Wildlife Rescue Phone Numbers in Massachusetts
When wildlife usually does not need rescue yet
Across Massachusetts, the busiest rescue periods are spring and early summer, when fledgling birds leave nests, young rabbits stay hidden in grass, and fawns rest alone while adults feed nearby. These situations often look urgent even when they are normal.
The safest rule is simple: intervene only when there is a visible injury, clear weakness, a collision, repeated crying without an adult returning, or immediate danger from traffic, pets, or heavy human activity. In many other cases, quiet observation from a distance is the best first step.
How to Use This Guide
Go straight to the situation that matches what you found. Each page explains what to do first, when to leave the animal alone, and when to call for wildlife help in Massachusetts.
Key wildlife rescue numbers in Massachusetts
MassWildlife – Wildlife assistance
Best statewide first call for injured wildlife, rabies-risk questions, referrals and general wildlife conflicts anywhere in Massachusetts.
- Phone: 508‑389‑6300
- Best for: statewide triage and direction to the right contact.
- Service area: all of Massachusetts.
Animal Rescue League of Boston – Field Services
Strong option for urban and suburban wildlife problems in Greater Boston, including trapped animals, public-space cases and situations involving local animal control.
- Field Services Hotline: 617‑426‑9170 ext. 563
- Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 9:30 am–5:30 pm.
- Best for: Greater Boston incidents that may need in-person response.
New England Wildlife Center – South Weymouth
Wildlife hospital for transportable injured animals in eastern Massachusetts. Call before you drive; admissions are limited by species, season and space.
- Phone: 781‑682‑4878
- Wildlife admissions: Monday–Friday, 10:00 am–2:00 pm.
- Important: call ahead before bringing any animal.
Tufts Wildlife Clinic – North Grafton
Academic wildlife clinic that treats birds, mammals and reptiles from across the state. Very useful for central Massachusetts and for cases that need medical referral.
- Phone: 508‑839‑7918
- Hours: daily, 8:30 am–5:00 pm; try to arrive by 4:30 pm.
- Important: call and wait for a callback before coming.
Cape Wildlife Center
Main wildlife hospital for Cape Cod and nearby coastal areas, especially useful for birds, small mammals and common coastal species.
- Wildlife hotline: 508‑362‑0111
- After-hours emergency line: 617‑835‑6845
- Best for: Cape Cod and nearby coastal wildlife cases.
Wild Care Cape Cod
Useful regional contact for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife on the Outer and Lower Cape, especially birds and small mammals.
- Animal help line: 508‑240‑2255
- Best for: Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, Provincetown and nearby towns.
- Important: call first before transporting wildlife.
Massachusetts Environmental Police
Use for urgent public-safety situations involving wildlife, including large animals near roads, aggressive behavior, or incidents that need law-enforcement response.
- 24-hour line: 1‑800‑632‑8075
- Best for: immediate danger, major roadway risk, or serious public-safety concerns.
Who should you call first?
Find wildlife contacts by region
If you are close to a regional boundary, check two nearby regions. Some rehabilitators cover more than one area.
What to do before you call
- Check your safety first. Do not approach wild animals closely. Keep children and pets away, and avoid handling the animal.
- Observe quietly from a distance. Note the animal’s size, species (if you can), visible injuries and how long you have seen the situation.
- Record the exact location. Street address, nearby building, landmark or GPS pin will help responders find the animal faster.
- Call a wildlife number. Use the statewide numbers above or your regional contacts. Describe what you see and follow the instructions you receive.
- Do not feed or give water. Well–meant food or water can harm some species or make capture more difficult.
- For immediate danger to people or traffic, contact local emergency services as well as wildlife contacts.
Many young animals in spring and early summer are not truly orphaned. Parents may be away for long periods. When in doubt, call a wildlife information line before picking up or moving the animal.
Common mistake: picking up a healthy fledgling, rabbit nestling or fawn too quickly. In Massachusetts, many animals that look abandoned are in a normal waiting stage while adults feed nearby. When there is no blood, fracture, collapse, entanglement or immediate threat, calling first is usually better than handling first.
FAQ: Wildlife rescue in Massachusetts
What if I find a baby bird, rabbit or fawn alone?
Many young animals spend long periods alone while adults feed nearby. Unless there is bleeding, weakness, a collision, obvious trauma or immediate danger from pets, roads or people, the safest first step is distance and observation. Call before touching the animal.
Who should I call if the animal is on a road or creating immediate danger?
If there is an urgent public-safety risk, contact local emergency services when needed and the Massachusetts Environmental Police. For non-emergency routing, MassWildlife is usually the best statewide first call.
Can I bring an injured wild animal straight to a clinic?
Not without calling first. Tufts Wildlife Clinic, New England Wildlife Center and other facilities may limit admissions by species, disease risk, staffing or available space. A phone call first can save time and prevent unnecessary transport.
Do wildlife rescue services cover every town in Massachusetts?
Coverage depends on species, region and current capacity. That is why this homepage gives the strongest statewide numbers first and the regional pages below point to more local options for Cape Cod, the islands, Boston, the North Shore, the South Shore, Central Massachusetts and Western Massachusetts.